BOISE, Idaho (March 7, 2022) – With the conclusion of the 2021-22 Big Sky Conference regular season, the league office has announced its All-Conference Teams and Individual Award Winners for the most recent campaign leading into the Big Sky Basketball Championships inside Idaho Central Arena.
The team listings are highlighted by Sacramento State’s Lianna Tillman, who was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player, and a unanimous First Team member. She finished as the league’s leading scorer in the regular season, averaging 20.4 points per game in 27 appearances. She was also the league leader in assists with an average of 6.1 assists per game.
Tillman is Sacramento State’s first MVP since joining the Big Sky Conference.
Montana State’s Darian White and Idaho State’s Tomekia Whitman were named Co-Defensive Player of the Year after splitting the same number of votes.
The pair finished first and second in steals, respectively, as White secured an average of 2.6 steals per game and Whitman had 2.3. The duo was a massive problem for opposing offenses all season long. Both were also First Team All-Conference players, with White being a unanimous selection to the squad.
Sacramento State’s Isnelle Natabou was named Newcomer of the Year in the Big Sky, leading the league in rebounding with 11.2 rebounds per game. That was 2.5 more rebounds per contest then the next closest player. She also averaged 14.6 points per game.
Rounding out the awards for single players, Louise Forstyh from Idaho was named the league’s Top Reserve, and Jaydia Martin from Eastern Washington was named Freshman of the Year.
Also a unanimous selection to the All-Big Sky First Team, Beyonce Bea from Idaho rounded out the trio of players to earn that type of recognition. Carmen Gfeller from Montana rounded out the all-league first team.
The Big Sky All-Conference Teams and Individual Award Winners are vote on by the league’s 11 head coaches. They are not allowed to vote for players on their own team.
The full list of All-Conference players and Individual Award Winners can be found below.
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#BigSkyWBB 2021-22 All-Conference Team & Individual Award Winners
Individual Award Winners
Most Valuable Player: Lianna Tillman, Sacramento State
Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Darian White, Montana State & Tomekia Whitman, Idaho State
Top Reserve: Louise Forsyth, Idaho
Newcomer of the Year: Isnelle Natabou, Sacramento State*
Freshman of the Year: Jaydia Martin, Eastern Washington
First Team All-Big Sky
Lianna Tillman, Sacramento State*
Beyonce Bea, Idaho*
Darian White, Montana State*
Carmen Gfeller, Montana
Tomekia Whitman, Idaho State
Second Team All-Big Sky
Isnelle Natabou, Sacramento State
Estefania Ors, Idaho State
Sophia Stiles, Montana
Hannah Simental, Northern Colorado
Daryn Hickok, Weber State
Third Team All-Conference
Kola Bad Bear, Montana State
Darri Dotson, Southern Utah
Kurstyn Harden, Northern Colorado
Jacinta Buckley, Eastern Washington
Diaba Konate, Idaho State
All-Conference Honorable Mention
Daylani Ballena, Southern Utah
Cherita Daugherty, Southern Utah
Regan Schenck, Northern Arizona
Louise Forsyth, Idaho
Jaydia Martin, Eastern Washington
Khiarica Rasheed, Northern Arizona
*Unanimous Selection